135,000 people are waiting for diagnostic scans according to Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health Stephen Donnelly.
The Wicklow/East Carlow TD says that more than 17,000 people are waiting over a year for essential scans.
The figures obtained refer to three types of procedures: CTs, MRIs and Ultrasounds.
Donnelly said he has significant concern in relation to the data: “Some 44,123 people are currently waiting for an MRI scan – almost 9,450 of who have been waiting over one year. 5,422 are waiting more than a year-and-a-half.
“An Ultrasound is proven to be an essential diagnostic tool in medicine, yet 59,404 people are waiting for this important procedure in Ireland. 6,018 are waiting more than a year while 3,535 have been waiting more than 18 months.
“CT scans provide medical information that other imaging techniques cannot as accurately identify and on that basis both practitioners and patients rely on access to the scan. That’s why it’s so concerning that 31,567 people are waiting without even knowing when they might receive an appointment.
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health and Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly.
Donnelly also raised concern that long waiting times could lead to longer term health problems for people.
“As with so much else in Ireland’s health service, it’s most frustrating that these problems could and should be sorted but are let continue due to a sheer lack of political will,” he added.
